One-way Ticket to Tuscany

Arrivederci Dallas. Salve Lucca.

As the sun began to set on another beautiful evening in Park Cities, my husband and I looked at one another and thought “what if there is more to life than this?” As a seasoned healthcare executive married to a handsome, successful entrepreneur we found ourselves living what most would consider an incredible life. We had just settled into a home we not only loved but built and designed from the ground up. We we lived in a prestigious neighborhood with our children attending THE most sought after school district in Dallas yet we still wondered if there was more to life. A more fulfilled way of living. Less emphasis on status and money with more focus on life’s simple joys. This “thought” continued to grow in our minds and we began to question what was our status quo. Soon we found ourselves at a fork in the ‘road of life’: 1) keep grinding and stay the course ahead or 2) embark on a new way of living- one that would not be easy and challenge every aspect of our previously lived life. As you might have assumed given the above title, we chose door #2. While this has not come without its challenges, that’s also what makes a decision of this nature interesting. As we now are 10+ months into the transition, I can tell you wholeheartedly, this move has been the best choice for us as individuals and for our family as a whole. Each day is filled with new challenges, new opportunities and lots of growth.

For us, our happiest moments involve food, interior design and hosting loved ones. Coined as “foodies” by those who know us best, we can be found in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes from our most beloved chefs or at the market sourcing the best ingredients we can get our hands on. We have watched and re-watched Chef’s Table countless times and have a running list of their featured restaurants that we’ve dined at across the U.S. and beyond. We enjoy surrounding ourselves with others who also share in this passion, and have made many unforgettable memories with food at it's core. When it comes to our home furnishings- we support local artisans, we search for timeless pieces at the big retail stores and we never miss the opportunity to stop into an antique store in each city we visit. We are always on the lookout for the perfect addition to our home with the goal of incorporating the elegant, yet inviting, aesthetic we aspire to have.

The day we were handed the keys to Villa Bertolli

Over our 11 years of marriage, we have bought and sold multiple homes- all with opening day offers, yielding substantial profit. Each home was carefully curated by us, with every element having our unique touch and style. Our last home, which was featured in Mansions Global and D Magazine, may provide you a glimpse of our aesthetic. While publications like these and the sale of previous homes have filled us with immense pride; alone it did not provide us with the assurance, or confidence, needed to seriously consider starting our own venture focused on lifestyle and design. For us, it was realizing the true joy we’ve experienced when guiding countless family members and friends down the path to thoughtfully curate and furnish their own homes, while ultimately seeing the smiles on their faces when unveiling the final product. It was, and still is, those experiences that gave us the confidence to recognize our knowledge and that we are capable of designing tailored interior finish-outs and creative furnishings for others, regardless of budget or space.

As for our guests, well, we treat them like family. We work diligently to provide a luxurious experience with high-end accommodations. Our guest rooms are thoughtfully furnished with finest trimmings. The beds are outfitted with a comfortable mattress dressed in high-count thread sheets, finished with down pillows. And each guest is greeted with a welcome basket stocked with plush towels, robe, slippers, cashmere sleeping mask, accompanied with artisanal water and carafe. A private bathroom is stocked with all the necessities and beyond, a personal coffee and tea area, and a mini pantry filled with treats suitable for everyone from the health nut to the chocoholics. It’s these personal touches we hope make our guests' time with us a memorable one and this is the same approach we plan to expand upon for our future rental properties.

Exploring Lucca atop Guinigi Tower

As the saying goes, “the best things in life are meant to be shared." R Maison is our way of turning life’s happy moments into a thriving company, allowing us to share R story and R home with you. We welcome you to follow us as we experience our new life in Tuscany: as we undertake the rigorous restoration of our Villa Bertolli- a 100-year-old, historic villa in the hills of Lucca, continue the creative interior work we provide our clients and discover our first rental property- one that will be an extension of R home and offer a curated experience for each guest. Whether it be through this blog, the design and property management services we offer or through one of our soon to be rental properties, we are thrilled to meet you and curate your next experience!